Flexall News

TUESDAY, Jan. 31, 2017 – Itchy skin is a common problem, but there are several ways to find relief, a dermatologist says. "There are many reasons for itchy skin," Dr. Hassan Galadari said in an American Academy of Dermatology news release. "It could be the result of a skin condition, such as eczema, shingles, hives or psoriasis, or it could be a sign of a contagious disease, like scabies or ringworm." To relieve itchy skin, Galadari offers these tips: Apply a cold, wet cloth or ice pack to the itchy area for five to 10 minutes or until the itch subsides. Or take an oatmeal bath. Use skin moisturizers that contain no additives, fragrances or perfumes. Apply topical anesthetics that contain pramoxine. Apply cooling agents such as menthol or calamine, or refrigerate your moisturizer to help achieve this cooling effect. Avoid scratching. It will irritate your skin and could lead to ... Read more

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 25, 2015 – Patients using prescription creams, gels, sprays and pills for skin conditions may shell out substantially more at the pharmacy than they did just six years ago, a new study suggests. Between 2009 and 2015, retail prices of brand-name dermatologic drugs rose 401 percent, on average, study authors reported Nov. 25 in JAMA Dermatology. Even generics have succumbed to price inflation, up 279 percent between 2011 and 2014, based on the drugs surveyed. Price increases for skin treatments far outpaced the general inflation rate of 11 percent during the six-year study period, the researchers said. "Cancer drugs were the worst in terms of the numbers" – up 1,240 percent or nearly $11,000 over the six-year study period – primarily because of two medicines, said Dr. Steven Rosenberg, voluntary professor of dermatology at the University of Miami Miller School of ... Read more

SATURDAY, July 18, 2015 – If your child develops an itchy rash, it could be hives, experts say. Common symptoms of hives – which are usually temporary and harmless – include: slightly raised, pink or red areas on the skin; welts that occur alone, in a group, or that connect over a large area; and skin swelling, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Hives can be triggered by a wide variety of things, including allergic reactions to food or medication, infections, exercise, stress, cold temperatures, insect bites and stings, pollen, sun exposure and scratching the skin. "The best remedy for hives is to try to avoid whatever triggers them, although identifying this is often difficult," Dr. Bruce Brod, a clinical professor of dermatology at University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, said in an AAD news release. "One way to help identify your triggers is to keep a log ... Read more

-- You've just finished working out, and one of your muscles is cramping and causing lots of pain. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons says possible triggers for muscle cramps include: Forgetting to stretch before exercise. Having tired muscles due to overuse or lack of exercise. Exercising in hot weather, which can lead to dehydration and loss of electrolytes. Sometimes muscles cramp for unknown reasons. Read more

SUNDAY, May 10, 2015 – Athletes aren't always sure whether to use heat or ice on injuries and aches and pains, so here is some advice from experts. If you suffer a sudden sports injury, you should follow a recovery program known as RICE: rest, ice, compression, elevation. "Elevation is probably the most important thing because it limits the amount of blood flow to the area and the amount of swelling," Dr. Scott Lynch, director of sports medicine at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, said in a center news release. Applying cold is important because it helps narrow blood vessels, preventing blood from accumulating at the injury site and causing too much inflammation and swelling that can delay healing. Icing an injury for the first 48 to 72 hours reduces the amount of secondary tissue damage and can also ease pain, said Dr. Cayce Onks, a family and sports medicine doctor at the medical ... Read more

FRIDAY, Sept. 14 – Over-the-counter pain relievers designed to be rubbed into the skin – such as Bengay and Icy Hot – could cause skin injuries in rare cases, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning. If you experience burning pain or blistering after using the products, the FDA says, you should seek medical attention right away. The agency said it has received reports about severe skin injuries in people who use topical products to treat muscle and joint pain. Other products include Capzasin, Flexall, and Mentholatum. People have developed mild to severe chemical burns, some within a day after using a product just one time. Some burns were so severe that some people needed to be hospitalized, the FDA said. "There's no way to predict who will have this kind of reaction to a topical pain reliever for muscles and joints," Dr. Jane Filie, a medical officer in the FDA's division ... Read more

ISSUE: FDA is alerting the public that certain over-the-counter (OTC) products that are applied to the skin for the relief of mild muscle and joint pain have been reported to cause rare cases of serious skin injuries, ranging from first- to third-degree chemical burns, where the products were applied. When applied to the skin, the products produce a local sensation of warmth or coolness.These products should not cause pain or skin damage, however, there have been rare cases of serious burns following their use. Some of the burns had serious complications requiring hospitalization BACKGROUND: OTC topical muscle and joint pain relievers are used to temporarily relieve minor muscle and joint aches and pain. These OTC topical muscle and joint pain relievers are available as single- or combination-ingredient products that contain menthol, methyl salicylate, or capsaicin, and are marketed ... Read more